Keith,
Trust me -- there will never be "millions" for writers who advise builders on construction methods. It's not a lucrative field. So if you have kids in college wondering about what subject to major in, I don't recommend journalism or English literature -- especially if they seek "millions."

So, am I reading you correctly: you are tired of advice that explains that there are always two or three solutions to every problem? Instead, would you rather hear me voice a strong opinion stating, "This is the way to build a house"?

7.
Oct 18, 2011 10:33 AM ET

RE Martin by Keith Gustafson

tongue was firmly in cheek regarding the millions.

I think it is interesting to see what smart people do regarding choices and trade-offs. I think the personal decision making is sometimes more interesting than general advice. It is a very different thing, educational in a different way.

Keith,
Here's the short answer: I try to plug a few more air leaks every year, and I burn firewood that I cut myself. I don't anticipate building myself another home in my lifetime.

9.
Oct 18, 2011 5:17 PM ET

This is the way..... by John Brooks

Martin,
I think that Keith asked a very good question.
It is a question that you usually seem to dodge.
Perhaps you do not need or want another home....
What construction method would you suggest if a close friend or family member wanted to duplicate your hippie house in Vermont?

John,
Believe it or not, I'm being honest when I say there are a lot of ways to build energy-efficient walls, and they all work. I am in favor of double-stud walls filled with cellulose, and I also like walls with thick exterior polyisocyanurate insulation. Both work well.

I recently had an exchange of e-mails with architect Jesse Thompson, who says he is getting tired of the endless discussions about walls. I may be putting words into his mouth, but I get the impression that he is thinking, "Enough already! Who cares?"

After all, if you build a good, tight, well-designed high-R wall, it's going to work. So let's stop arguing. There are other aspects of houses to discuss: attic insulation, windows, airtightness, house size, orientation, passive solar features, and heating systems. If anyone of us builds a house with very low energy bills, let's just say, "Bravo!" and move on.

Albert,
Ask your grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles who remember the 1930s. Here are a few reminders:

1. Have a vegetable garden.

2. Turn out the light when you're not in the room.

3. Invite the extended family to live together in the same house.

4. Barter with your neighbors.

5. Cook more grits, oatmeal, rice, and beans. Cook a big pot and it will last for several days.

6. Patch your clothes.

7. Walk and bicycle to get around.

8. It's never too cold to cut firewood when you are all out.

13.
Oct 24, 2011 11:20 AM ET

ICF Construction by JEFF LANGSTAFF

I don't know, maybe I missed something but I didn't read one 'How To' title which even made a reference to ICF house construction. You go on and on about fancy framing, vapor barriers, thermal bridging, and so forth up the ying yang but for my construction dollar nothing beats ICF to deal with all those issues in one fell swoop. End of story and of my rant.

Martin
I have followed GBA for the last few years. Your blogs are always interesting, balanced, and well written. You are fundamentally an educator who will have a lasting effect in your field. Making millions is not generally part of being an educator but respect from people who may have millions is not uncommon.

Timothy,
Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad that you find the articles to be useful.

22.
Jul 9, 2014 11:16 AM ET

Maybe an E-Book ? by bob holodinsky

Possibly put all the articles together in an E-PUB format and make it downloadable for a fee ...I know I would want it just to reference articles more easily..thanks,Martin for all your research...Bob

23.
Jul 14, 2014 11:17 AM ET

You need a DONATE button! by Jason Burk

Sounds to me like a lot of folks would be willing to pay for this, whether it was a legitimate book, fee-based e-book, or just a button to click "buying you a cup of coffee" through Paypal. Take note! And great work...

Jason,
If you or any other readers want to contact Taunton Press with any suggestions for a book which you are interested in seeing published, you can contact Taunton via this e-mail address: support@customerservice.taunton.com

25.
Jul 13, 2015 4:41 PM ET

Thank you by Ben Rush

Martin,
Thanks for putting all these links in one place. Very helpful.
Ben

About the Author

Martin Holladay has worked as a plumbing wholesale counterperson, roofer, remodeler, and builder. He built his first passive solar house in northern Vermont in 1974, and has lived off the grid since 1975. In 1980, Holladay bought his first photovoltaic(PV) Generation of electricity directly from sunlight. A photovoltaic cell has no moving parts; electrons are energized by sunlight and result in current flow. module, which is still producing electricity after all these years. Read more...